Featured Course
DCG.com Ratings
Course Conditions 
Difficulty Level Pro Shop/Restaurant Value for Money Location
DCG.com Ratings
| Course Conditions | |
| Difficulty Level | |
| Pro Shop/Restaurant | |
| Value for Money | |
| Location | |
Apo Golf & Country Club
Course Categories:*** - (3 Star Rated), $$$ - ($30 to $60), DCG.com's Best Rated Value, Featured
Apo Golf & Country Club is located in Barangay Bago, about 30 minutes drive south of Davao City proper, along the AH26. Keep a lookout for the entry gate. The roadside signage comes out of no where. Been there many times and still have to keep my guard up 
There is a long winding road leading to the caddy shack and the clubhouse. Make sure to stop the caddy shack on the right hand side of the road and drop your bags before proceeding to the clubhouse. If you have a preferred caddy you can request it then from the caddy master, if not it will be by rotation.
The clubhouse was undergoing renovation in our last visit and they were bringing it up to date. The club is a everyday mans course. Nothing over the top or expensive. It is actually very reasonably priced for locals and “foreigners”. They list their amenities as having a swimming pool, pelota courts, practice green and driving range. As of November 2009 and the previous 4 years before, I have never seen the swimming pool in a usable condition and never even seen the pelota courts.
The putting greens are in good condition and depict what you can expect on the course in terms of speed and condition. The driving range has approximately 20 stalls and is dirt based. It is also only about 220 yards deep. They have a net surrounding it. (the 10th hole wraps around the range) I never even considered pulling the driver while at the range. But it is sufficient for warming up before playing.
The staff at Apo really are very warm and friendly. This may not be the top course in Davao as far as facilities or conditions (although conditions are typically good), but their staff is very professional and very helpful. They treat their guests and members as if it were a top tier club.
The course itself is used in several professional tournaments throughout the year. The front 9 is fairly straight forward with wide fairways and back to front sloping greens. The greens at Apo are kept in very good condition. They typically run from 10-11 on the Stimp meter. The 10th hole is what they are known for as from the tee you have a great view of Mount Apo (Philippines highest peak) and the 11th hole is a par 3 that might as well be a island green as there is a pond that extends from tee to green and the all around the green is death. There is no bailout area. But never fear, if you drop a couple in the water, the local kids will be glad to go and fetch them for you 
The back 9 continues on this theme of fairly tight tree lined fairways with twists and turns. The back is more of a placement layout than a bomber one.
The caddies at Apo are knowledgeable and can help you shave a few strokes off, especially if you have never played the track before. We typically use the same caddies every time we visit, a trio of brothers (sons of the former club pro, i believe) they are all 3 very personable, professional and very good golfers in their own right. Although I hear the youngest of the 3 is giving it to his older brothers these days
We have never eaten in the restaurant (although we have gotten snacks and drinks) on site but we have eaten several times at the food stalls outside the main gate. Just park right inside the gate and walk back to the main road. The resturant on the corner has excellent food that is very inexpensive. Their adobo and their curry goat is delicious.
Note: They are currently developing a subdivision right next to the course. Hopefully it will deliver a shot to the arm of the dated facilities at Apo.
Reviewer | DCG
I am the creator, owner and lead reviewer for Davao City Golf.net. I play in Davao City and around the world year round. I split my time between family, work and golf. My handicap floats right around 3-6. I play in most local amateur events. I have caddied for local pros at professional tournaments. My family, friends and most my acquaintances play golf, when it's raining we watch golf, this is what we do :) Have you played this course before?? Scroll down to our comments section and give your review of the course. There you will find the DCG.com readers reviews and discussions on this course.
I find Apo a great course to hone your game.
Condition wise it is not what I would call “A” rated, but certainly its B plus. Greens are good but certainly not 10-11 on a stipmeter as suggested in the review here.
Having played here many times and comparing the greens to the greens in bigger tournaments I have played in where the greens were actually 10-11, I would say they run around 8 to 9. That being said, the greens are always in pretty good condition.
Actually, I think they are probably even better than Davao’s more fancied course Rancho Palos Verdes. Certainly they roll better .
As I mentioned up front, Apo is a great course to hone your game as it demands just about all shots.
I would rarely play Apo and not use every club in my bag.
The fact that many good players have come from Apo is testament to the fact that you really need to be able to play all the shots here. With maybe the exception of wind shots. Apo tends not be very wind affected, but apart from that is will certainly test your game.
The 1 th hole is a pretty straight forward par 4 that welcomes you into the course and an easy par or birdie is always on the cards.
Any thoughts that this will be an easy course are then stripped away quickly as you stand on the 2nd tee.
It requires a a strong drive to the right side of the fairway and then a mid to long iron to a relativey small green.
The 3rd and 6th holes are par 5′s that require a tactial approach from all except the biggest hitters.
But they are reachable for the big hitters but still frought with danger. True risk and reward.
For most however they are genuine 3 shot holes that reguire good placement with the tee shot and 2nd shots to set up a birdie chance.
The short 8th hole is a hard dogleg left that requires a brave tee shot to set up a birdie chance.
A very sloping green adds to the difficulity on what looks like on paper a relatively easy hole.
The back nine again requires good angles off the tee. With the 12th hole a stand out here.
It reguires a strong tee shot through a narrow shute to the right side of the fairway to set up a mid to long iron to a small green.
The par 3 11th is a relatively short par 3 but it is all water carry. Reading the wind on this heavily treed hole is the biggest test on this hole. Short and you are in the water, long.. and you face a very difficult up and down from a scratchy lie.
The 16th is a short par 4 that requires a accurate fading tee shot through the trees to set up a birdie chance. Treat this hole with respect or can bring your round apart in an eye blink!
In Summary, Apo is in my opinion a truly great course that will test every aspect of your game.If you can play well here, then you can play anywhere. I certainly rate it as a 4 star.
Like or Dislike:
1 
0
I have yet to play the course during the wet season (as it is in Davao), but typically from October till February, the greens do run rather well. Although I have not played there in a couple of years. Yes wind in general in Davao is relatively light.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Hello,
Thanks for the info. I am planning to settle in Davao or Digos. I noticed there is two different prices for foreigner and locals. Does this apply here? Can I buy a membership? If so, what is the terms and conditions?
Thanks
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Hi,
I will be arriving in Davao on March 2nd. Would like to hook up with a member the following week in the morning. could you help me?
John
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
John, i am out of town for the next month or so, if you like you can contact the pro shop at the following number: (082) 301-2100
Like or Dislike:
0 
1